Universal pulling tool

ABSTRACT

A pulling tool having a support member, a first surface and a second surface. The first surface including a slot positioned thereon and the second surface include a recess in communication with the slot. A ledge is formed where the recess and the slot intersect. At least one rod is disposed in the slot and recess and includes a portion engageable with the ledge.

BACKGROUND

This application relates generally to pulling tools, and moreparticularly, to pulling tools for the removal of a component (steeringwheel, hub, gear, etc.) from a shaft.

Pulling tools are often tailored to a particular brand or type ofcomponent. For example, a steering wheel mount plate typically has aparticular configuration of holes or slots located thereon. One of theslots receives a shaft to which the mounting plate is attached and theother slots receive the jaws of a steering wheel puller. During aremoval operation, the jaws operate against the bottom of the plate topull the wheel off. For the puller to work, the jaw configuration mustmatch the slot configuration of the mounting plate

The slot configuration, however, is generally unique to the manufacturerof the steering wheel. Therefore, each steering wheel has its own uniquepuller. This is a burden for mechanics because they must keep a separatepuller for each type of steering wheel. Accordingly, what is needed is auniversal pulling tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments detailed herein describe a pulling tool. In one embodiment,the pulling tool includes a support member having a first surface and asecond surface. The first surface includes at least one slot positionedthereon, and the second surface includes at least one recess incommunication with the slot. A ledge is formed where the recess and theslot intersect. A rod is disposed in the slot and recess and includes aportion engageable with the ledge.

In an embodiment, a pulling tool includes a support member having atleast one aperture. The aperture includes a through portion and a stopportion. The width of the stop portion is greater than the width of thethrough portion. A rod is disposable in the aperture and has anengagement portion that is shaped and dimensional to only fit in thestop portion.

In an embodiment, a pulling tool includes a means for engaging a workpiece. The tool also includes a means for supporting the engaging means.The supporting means has a means for preventing motion of the engagingmeans with respect to the supporting means. A force-applying means isused to pull the work piece from a shaft.

Finally, in an embodiment, a method of manufacturing a pulling tool isdescribed. At least one slot on a first surface of a support member isformed. At least one recess on a second surface of the support member isformed. The recess is formed in communication with the slot to create aledge at the intersection of the recess and the slot. A rod ispositioned in the recess and slot, and in engagement with the ledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a pulling tool.

FIG. 2 is a top assembled view of the pulling tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pulling tool of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of a support member utilized by thepulling tool of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the universal pulling tool of FIG. 1shown engaged with a work piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a pulling tool 100, in one example, comprisessupport member 102, rods 104 and bolt 106. Support member 102, rods 104,and bolt 106 can be made of a number of different materials (e.g.,metals, stainless steel, plastic, etc) provided each is strong enoughfor pulling tool 100 to function for its intended purpose, such asremoving a steering wheel from a shaft. Support member 102, rods 104 andbolt 106 can be made of the same material, or they can be made of acombination of materials, provided tool 100 can function for itsintended purpose.

Referring further to FIGS. 2-4, support member 102, in one example,comprises a bar of material having a top surface 108, a bottom surface109, a first end 110, and a second end 112. A threaded opening 114 isformed through the support member 102 from surface 108 to surface 109 ata midpoint 116, between first end 110 and second end 112. Apertures 118are positioned on each side of opening 114. Each aperture 118 extendslongitudinally from a respective one of ends 110, 112 to a point justshort of opening 114.

Rods 104 are disposable in the apertures 118. Each rod 104 has a firstend 120 and a second end 122. First end 120 includes threaded portion124. Second end 122 includes hook portion 126. A boss 128 is locatedbetween first end 120 and second end 122. Boss 128 fits within a stopportion 129 of each aperture 118. Sidewalls 130 define stop portion 129and prevent boss 128 from rotating when pulling tool 100 is in use.

In FIG. 1, boss 128 is substantially rectangular in shape, and stopportion 129 is rectangular in cross section. Boss 128 and stop portion129 can have other shapes, provided boss 128 fits within stop portion129, and sidewalls 130 prevent boss 128 from rotating. For example, boss128 could be hexagonal and stop portion 129 could be rectangular. Thedesign considerations regarding the shape of boss 128 will be furtherdiscussed herein.

Rods 104 are disposed within apertures 118 and secured to support member102 by flanged nuts 131, which fasten each rod 104 in a desiredlongitudinal position within its corresponding aperture 118. Nuts 131also prevent downward movement of rods 104 when tool 100 is in use.

Bolt 106 is positioned within opening 114. In one example, bolt 106includes threaded portion 134, head portion 136 and tip portion 138.Threaded portion 134 engages with the threads located in hole 114. Ifnecessary, head portion 136 is engageable with a wrench or screwdriverto aid in the rotation of bolt 106. Tip portion 138 operates against ashaft to which a wheel, hub, gear, and the like is attached. Tip portion138, in one example, is removable from bolt 106. Alternatively, tipportion 138 could be integral with bolt 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, each aperture 118 is formed by a slot202 positioned on top surface 108 (FIG. 2) of support member 102, and arecess 302 positioned on the bottom surface 109 (FIG. 3) of supportmember 102. Slots 202 and recesses 302 are in communication with eachother. Slots 202 are positioned on each side of hole 114 and areoutlined by lines a and a′. Recesses 302 are positioned on each side ofhole 114 and are outlined by lines b and b′. Each slot 202 is inregistration with a corresponding recess 302 and both extendlongitudinally along top surface 108 and bottom surface 303,respectively.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, each slot 202 is shown as including arectangular portion 204 and an arcuate end portion 206, whereas eachrecess 302 is shown as substantially rectangular. This configuration ispresented for illustrative purposes only. Slots 202 and recesses 302could have different lengths. By registering slots each have 202 andrecesses 302, however, a user can longitudinally adjust rods 104 alongthe length of support member 102. Slots 202 can also have a differentshape, provided upper end 120 of each rod 104 can move longitudinallythroughout aperture 118.

Similarly, recesses 302 can have a different shape. The shape ofrecesses 302 serves multiple purposes though. First, boss 128 engageswith walls 130 to prevent rotational movement of each rod 104, but topermit movement longitudinally of the support member 102. Second, theshape of boss 128 and the shape of recess 302 determine the number ofrotational positions that hook 126 can occupy. For example, a squareshaped boss 128 and a rectangular recess provide hook 126 with foursettings: 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. A hexagonal boss 128 and arectangular recess 302 provide hook 126 with six settings: 0°, 60°,120°, 180°, 240° and 300°. The multiple settings and the longitudinaladjustment of rods 104 make pulling tool 100 employable with work piecesof many different shapes, sizes, and configurations.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, ledges 402 are formed where slots 202and recesses 302 intersect. Ledges 402 divide aperture 118 into throughportion 404 and stop portion 129. Because boss 128 is shaped anddimensioned to only fit within the stop portion 129, boss 128 cannot fitwithin though portion 404. Accordingly, when rods 104 are disposedwithin apertures 118, boss 128 engages with ledge 402, and ledge 402prevents upward movement of rod 104. Similarly, sidewalls 130 preventrotational movement of rods 104.

Referring to FIG. 5, rods 104 are held in position, on support member102, through flanged nuts 131, drawing each rod 104 upward, and the topside 502 of boss 128 engaging ledge 402, which resists the upward pullof flanged nuts 131.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, to use pulling tool 100, hook portions 126are positioned against an under surface of a work piece 602. Tip portion138 of bolt 106 is positioned against a shaft 604 to which the workpiece 602 is mounted. When bolt 106 is turned clockwise threaded portion134 engages the threads within opening 114. Bolt 106 then exertsdownward force against shaft 604, but because shaft 604 resists theforce of bolt 106, support member 102 is urged upward. Accordingly,support member 102 pulls rods 104 upward. Hook portions 126 engage theunderside of plate 602 and thereby pull plate 602 upwardly along shaft604.

Referring to FIG. 6, to position pulling tool 100 a user first insertshook portion 126 of each rod 104 in slots 606. Depending on the slotconfiguration, the user may have to adjust rods 104 longitudinally withrespect to support member 102. The user may also have to rotate each rod104 in order for hook portion 126 to engage an under surface of plate602. Once rods 104 are set, the user seats bosses 128 within stopportions 129 and tightens flanged nuts 131. Bolt 106 is rotated suchthat tip portion 138 is in contact with shaft 104. The user continues torotate bolt 106 thereby drawing support member 102 upward engaging hookportions 126 with the underside of plate 602, and pulling plate 602 offshaft 604.

As another alternative, which is not shown in the drawings, pulling tool100 can be employed with nuts flanged 131 omitted. In this example,support member 102 is inverted such that recess 302 is located aboveslot 202. In this example, ledge 402 prevents downward motion of rods104 and the upward motion of rods 104 is prevented by the biasing actionof plate 602 on hook portions 126. The remainder of the operation ofpulling tool 100 is the same as described in the previous example.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it would beapparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the broader aspects of applicant'scontribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended tobe defined in the following claims, when viewed in their properperspective based on the prior art.

1. In a pulling tool, the combination comprising: a support memberhaving a first surface and a second surface, the first surface includingat least one slot positioned therein and the second surface including atleast one recess in communication with the slot such that a ledge isformed where the recess and the slot intersect; and at least one roddisposed in the slot and the recess and including a portion engageablewith the ledge.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the supportmember has two opposing sides of a predetermined length, the slotextends longitudinally along at least a portion of the length on thefirst surface and the recess extends longitudinally along a portion ofthe length on the second surface.
 3. The combination of claim 2, whereinthe recess is rectangular.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein theslot includes a rectangular portion, and an arcuate portion.
 5. Thecombination of claim 4, wherein the slot and the recess are inregistration such that the rod can be moved longitudinally along atleast a portion of the support member.
 6. The combination of claim 2,wherein the support member includes a first end and a second end, andthe at least one slot and at least one recess comprise: a first slot incommunication with a corresponding first recess to form a first ledge,each of the first slot and first recess extending from the first end ofthe support member to a location between the first end and a midpoint ofthe support member; and a second slot in communication with acorresponding second recess to form a second ledge, each of the secondslot and second recess extending from the second end of the supportmember to a location between the second end and the midpoint.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6, wherein the support member is generally “H”shaped.
 8. The combination of claim 6, further comprising: a threadedopening located at the midpoint between the first end and the secondend; and a bolt threadedly engaged in the opening.
 9. The combination ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one rod comprises: a first rod disposed inthe first recess and the first slot and engaged with the first ledge;and a second rod disposed in the second slot and second recess andengaged with the second ledge.
 10. The combination of claim 1, whereinthe at least one rod includes a first end and a second end, the firstend extending from the first surface of the support member, and thesecond end extending from the second surface of the support member,wherein the second end includes a hook integral therewith.
 11. Thecombination of claim 10, further comprising: a fastener attached to thefirst end to prevent the rod from moving in a direction away from thesecond surface of the support member.
 12. The combination of claim 10,wherein the rod includes a boss positioned between the first end and thesecond end of the rod, the boss being positioned within the recess suchthat the boss engages with the ledge to prevent movement of the rod in adirection away from the first surface of the support member.
 13. Amethod of manufacturing a pulling tool, comprising: forming at least oneslot on a first surface of a support member, forming at least one recesson a second surface of the support member, the recess being formed incommunication with the slot to create a ledge at the intersection of therecess and the slot; and positioning a rod in the recess and the slotand in engagement with the ledge.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe step of forming the slot comprises extending the slot longitudinallyalong at least a portion of a length of the first surface, and formingthe recess comprises extending the recess longitudinally along a portionof a length of the second surface.
 15. The method of claim 14, whereinthe step of forming the recess comprises forming the recess to berectangular.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of forming theslot comprises forming the slot to include a rectangular portion and anarcuate portion.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:positioning the slot and the recess in registration such that the rodcan be moved longitudinally along at least a portion of the supportmember.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of forming at leastone slot comprises: forming a first slot extending from a first end ofthe support member to a point between the first end and a midpointbetween the first end and a second end of the support member, andforming a second slot extending from a second end of the support memberto a point between the second end and the midpoint.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the step of forming at least one recess comprises:forming a first recess, in communication with the first slot to form afirst ledge, the first recess extending from the first edge to a pointbetween the first end and the midpoint, and forming a second recess, incommunication with the second slot to form a second edge, the secondrecess extending from the second end to a point between the second endand the midpoint.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step ofpositioning at least one rod comprises: positioning a first rod in thefirst slot and first recess and in engagement with the first ledge, andpositioning a second rod in the second slot and second recess and inengagement with the second ledge.
 21. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising: positioning a threaded opening at the midpoint; andthreadedly engaging a bolt in the opening.
 22. The method of claim 14,further comprising: engaging a boss, located between a first end and asecond end of the rod, with the ledge.
 23. A pulling tool, comprising: asupport member including at least one aperture having a through portionand a stop portion, with a width of the stop portion being greater thana width of the through portion, and at least one rod disposable in theaperture and having an engagement portion that is shaped and dimensionalto only fit in the stop portion of the aperture.
 24. The pulling tool ofclaim 23, wherein the support member has two opposing sides of apredetermined length, the through portion comprises a slot extendinglongitudinally over a first surface of the support member, and the stopportion comprises a recess extending longitudinally over a secondsurface of the support member.
 25. The pulling tool of claim 24, whereinthe slot includes a rectangular portion and an arcuate portion.
 26. Thepulling tool of claim 25, wherein the recess is rectangular.
 27. Thepulling tool of claim 23, wherein the rod comprises a first end and asecond end, and the engagement portion of the rod comprises a squareboss located between the first end and the second end.
 28. The pullingtool of claim 27, further comprising: a hook located formed integrallywith the second end of the rod.
 29. The pulling tool of claim 23,wherein the support member comprises a metal bar.
 30. The pulling toolof claim 23, wherein the at least one aperture includes a first aperturelocated on a first half of the support member and a second aperturelocated on a second half of the support member.
 31. The pulling tool ofclaim 30, wherein the at least one rod comprises a first rod disposed inthe first aperture and a second rod disposed in the second aperture. 32.The pulling tool of claim 30, further comprising: a threaded openinglocated at a midpoint between the first half and the second half of thesupport member.
 33. The pulling tool of claim 32, further comprising: abolt threadedly engaged in the opening.
 34. A pulling tool, comprising:means for engaging a work piece mounted on a shaft; means for supportingthe engaging means, the supporting means including means for preventingmotion of the engaging means with respect to the support means indirections transversely of the shaft; and means for applying force tothe means for supporting axially of the shaft.
 35. The pulling tool ofclaim 34, wherein the engaging means includes means for attaching thepulling tool to the work piece.
 36. The pulling tool of claim 35,wherein the attaching means comprises means for hooking the work piece.37. The pulling tool of claim 34, wherein the supporting means includesa support member having a first surface and a second surface, and thepreventing means includes a means for stopping the engaging means frommoving relative to the supporting means in a direction longitudinally ofthe shaft.